Qui, and his Boo. (2/12/2010). This is my cousin Qui and his Boo. A special Valentines request. Happy Valentines Day!

Hombre (2/10/2010). This is my cousin Hombre. When I was younger, I always had admiration for him, he always commanded so much attention, and had a lot of charisma and confidence. He doesn’t know it … but he taught me a lot about drawing and illustration. He once drew a picture of freddy krueger … and I attempted to recreate it over and over and over again, until I had his style down. He is a very creative individual, and has two awesome sons.

Note: I actually started this piece a while back… Today I had too much going on, a flight to FL, work, etc… so please excuse my cop out :). I was remixing and posting during my layover :).

Manny (2/5/2010). Manny is my little cousin. We used to hang out a lot waaayy back in the day, him, his brother Anthony (James) and I. We used to play a lot of video games, pretend we were superheroes, and try and stay up as late as possible and play with toys and what not. We haven’t hung out in a loooong time. I believe he is currently attending College outside of Buffalo, and is also pretty nasty when it comes to head shotting mofos in Call of Duty.

This is (6/7) of my open request week, where I made an invitation for people on my facebook to request to be sketchbooked.

Jeorge (1/30/2010) Last night I went out to see my primo (cousin) Jeorge, along with my Uncle Coco, and cousin Quita. It was a great time.  I have been meaning to see one of My cousin’s shows for a bit… His band is called the “Elements”, and they did some of their own songs along with covers of Pink Floyd, Journey, and a few others… I was very impressed with the performance, especially with the stage presence and display of skill.

We got to hang out afterwards, and found out we were the first family members (Cardona side) to come see one of his shows, and it made his day. I always love getting surprised by the amount of creativity and passion that are in those around me… it just makes me happy in so many ways. I really enjoyed the show, and wanted to show my thanks by posting him up on my blog, and illustrating him! Happy Saturday.

My little brother, James. (1/21/2010). I decided to draw him because he is too adorable for words. James is my youngest brother, and there is an age difference of about 26 years between us. James is just awesome, he dances up a storm, he plays with toy race cars, and he attaches himself to my chin and sucks his thumb with the most content face in the world. A very assertive, playful, cheerful kid… he is destined for greatness!

Erik & Jaime (1/20/2010). I haven’t posted family members in quite a while, Jaime and Erik are my second cousins—As we all know Puerto Ricans roll deep with cousins, LoL. Any ways they are my cousin Quita’s “kids” (Since they are obviously very grown). if you can’t tell by the illustration, they are twins. They are both currently studying at the University of Buffalo. We hang, and play video games at Cardona Family Breakfast Sundays!

Every sunday, some members of my family get together at my uncle Coco’s house… We eat breakfast, chill, play video games, etc. It was a tradition that goes back to everyone crowding over at my grandmother’s house to eat. Since the passing of my grandparents, we continue it as a Sunday tradition… pretty informal really, we all just show up, eat a ton of breakfast food and sandwhiches, sometimes lunch… Play Wii, and PS3 and bullshit around… It is a pretty relaxed and chill atmosphere. A great time to just be with family.

Today is my friend Ali’s 30th Birthday! I am seriously proud of this kid. Ali, here is to 100 more! Cheers my Homie!

Ali is pictured here holding his adorable baby boy, born last year.

My Cousin Qui, and his current facebook status. Last year I was reunited with my cousin after close to 15 years of zero contact. We were brought together through facebook, and a mutual love for Amy’s Place food … My brother from another mother, Qui is currently livin it up in Philly and working at the LBGTQ bookstore on 12th and Pine called Giovanni’s Room. A ball of energy this kid… Qui serves as a great tour guide to all things Philly, and is currently trying to get me to relocate to the land of cheesesteaks, and Ben Franklin.